Process for reducing and/or eliminating nicotine and nitrosamines in tobacco

ABSTRACT

What is new in this invention pertains to the use of only citric acid, with or without water, in treating tobacco, to reduce and/or eliminate nicotine and nitrosaminies in the tobacco.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional Patent Application #60/375,296

[0002] Filing Date: Apr. 24, 2002

[0003] Confirmation #8771

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABI E, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

[0005] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention pertains to a tobacco treatment that reduces and/or eliminates nicotine and nitrosamines prior to manufacture into tobacco products.

[0007] Class 131—Tobacco

[0008] Processes and apparatus for treating tobacco preliminary to manufacturing into a tobacco product.

[0009] Subclass 290—Tobacco Treatment

[0010] This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process relating to the physical or chemical treatment of tobacco prior to the manufacture thereof into a tobacco product.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The substance of the claimed invention is that nicotine and nitrosamines are reduced and/or eliminated from tobacco by using citric acid alone, or citric acid and water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] Not Applicable

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Tobacco is soaked and/or steamed in citric acid.

[0014] Tobacco is soaked and/or steamed in water.

[0015] Excess liquid remains.

[0016] Excess liquid is removed.

[0017] These steps may or may not be repeated with varying percentages (proportions) of citric acid to water, and for varying lengths of time.

[0018] Nicotine and nitrosamines are reduced and/or eliminated from the tobacco. 

We claim as our invention to:
 1. Reduce nicotine in tobacco using citric acid.
 2. Reduce nicotine in tobacco using citric acid and water.
 3. Reduce nitrosamines in tobacco using citric acid.
 4. Reduce nitrosamines in tobacco using citric acid and water.
 5. Eliminate nicotine in tobacco using citric acid.
 6. Eliminate nicotine in tobacco using citric acid and water.
 7. Eliminate nitrosamines in tobacco using citric acid.
 8. Eliminate nitrosamines in tobacco using citric acid and water. 